Overview
- President Aleksandar Vucic publicly inaugurated the drone assembly plant and posted videos showing him inspecting and briefly operating a drone, saying the facility will employ about 100 people.
- Reporting and government statements name state arms firm Yugoimport SDPR and Israel’s Elbit Systems as partners in the project, and Vucic said warheads will be produced at state-owned Krusik.
- Officials barred press access to the factory visit, citing production confidentiality, and independent verification of the plant’s technical scope, schedule and export customers is not available.
- Vucic presented the opening as part of a broader military modernization drive and industrial expansion, a message he has emphasized publicly ahead of the early parliamentary vote in October.
- The move continues Serbia’s strategy of diversifying suppliers after purchases such as 2024’s Rafale jets and equipment from China and Russia, and it may create local jobs and export opportunities while raising questions about oversight and foreign ties.